Work and Professional Experiences

STUDY -----> Work and Professional Experiences

Internships and professional experience are a form of Work Integrated Learning that is offered by SDMI. Undertaking an internship is a great way to enhance your employability skills and graduate attributes. SDMI has a number of internship programs that are part of the official course structure, and there are additional programs offered by the Careers service you can apply for whilst you are a student at SDMI

Work experience provides many benefits, giving you skills and experience that will allow you stand out to potential employers as well as helping you choose the right sector to work in.

Having a degree is a tremendous asset to help put your name on the radar for potential employers, but it's by far not the only arrow in the quiver. Work experience locks in further potential, "building useful skills that cannot be taught in the classroom as well as contacts that students otherwise would not be exposed to," highlights the general manager of Avanade UK.

"A perspective employer will always looks favourable on the effort taken by those who have done work experience, which empowers new talent and gives them an edge to push for the most sought after graduate positions in the field."

Below are just a few examples of the way you can benefit from undertaking work experience and work placements. Whether you're doing a week-long stint or a year in industry you'll be gaining skills that will make you much more employable.

1. Soft skills

Work experience equips you with certain soft skills such as team working, communication skills and commercial awareness, all of which are sought after by employers, especially at a graduate level.

2. Differentiate yourself and make yourself more employable

Work experience also helps you to differentiate yourself, an important thing to factor in when competition for jobs is so fierce.

"Employers value competitive advantage and that's what work experience gives you," adds the chief executive of the Inspiring Futures Foundation. "If you take two graduates with equally good qualifications and personal attributes; one has gained work experience and the other has none, it is likely that the job will go to the person who has shown initiative and gained experience. There is anecdotal evidence that employers look more favourably on candidates who have gained a basic understanding of their business sector and know what it's like to be in a work environment."

3. Enhance your application forms and interviews

Work experience also equips you with knowledge that will enhance your job applications and particularly your interviews. Because you've gained a better understanding of the sector you want to go into, you'll be able to talk more authoritatively and ask questions that resonate with the employer…

4. Road test a company/sector/role

One of the great things about gaining work experience as a student is that it gives you the chance to try things out to see if they suit you. Want to find out what a company is actually like to work for, or what doing a certain job is like? Well work experience gives you the chance to experience this - for a week, a fortnight, a summer or even a year.

"It can crystallise your mind about your career choice, either confirming that you are making exactly the right choice, or change your mind. If the latter happens, you should view this positively as you can re-direct your energy into an area you find more stimulating," notes the chief executive of the Inspiring Futures Foundation.

5. The possibility of leading to full-time job offers

Some long-term internships can lead to full-time employment.

"A year long or vacation placement will look very impressive on your CV and, if you perform well, can lead to the offer of a full-time job after graduation. Many employers use their placement schemes as the first stage in graduate recruitment," notes the engineering and technology careers expert at Middlesex University.

6. Personal development

"But work experience isn't just about impressing recruiters, it is also about personal development," they add.

Indeed, the skills - both soft and technically focused will all help you start on the professional development path. If you plan to work towards professional registration skills you learn during work experience are the first steps towards ticking off competencies. Be sure to take advantage of the SDMI’s career Manager tool to record all you achieve during your placements and internships.